UFC CEO, Dana White has responded to criticizm of a booked headliner between champion, Alex Pereira and challenger, Khalil Rountree later this yr – claiming the pairing “makes a variety of sense” – earlier than difficult Magomed Ankalaev to ‘earn’ a shot on the divisional crown.
Pereira, the incumbent undisputed mild heavyweight titleholder and a former middleweight gold holder, is slated to return in two months time at UFC 307, headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake Metropolis in a title showdown with the surging, Rountree.
Most just lately that includes in the principle occasion of UFC 303 on the finish of June, Sao Paulo finisher, Alex Pereira landed a shocking second spherical high-kick knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka – felling the Czech Republic native for the second time since their first assembly final November.
As for Rountree, The Final Fighter finalist has been embroiled in an anti-doping violation since he felled former title challenger, Anthony Smith with a 3rd spherical knockout again in December, nevertheless, is about to tackle Alex Pereira in his premiere title tilt within the group.
Dana White defends Alex Pereira – Khalil Rountree reserving
And amid scrutiny from former title chaser, Ankalaev – who options simply two weeks after Pereira’s return at UFC 308 as he battles Aleksandar Rakic, the Russian has been challenged by White to earn his personal title combat subsequent.
“He (Magomed Ankalaev) didn’t get left out, he’s received a combat arising,” Dana White mentioned following the Contender Sequence in a single day. “We have been laying the fights out now, Ankalaev’s received a combat lined up, go in there, do your factor, look nice, clearly you’re subsequent.”
“We had a to make this combat card and as you go down the road you begin it, it’s clear (Khalil) Rountree makes a variety of sense and also you mentioned it your self, ‘No means in hell that’s not a enjoyable one.’” Dana White continued. “Timing is all the pieces.”
